Mariachiflute
Before my Roux-N-Y Gastric bypass done by dr Darwin Zahn on January 10, 2011, I was told by my very caring PCP that given my comorbidities I had maybe 5 more years to live. I had such bad asthma I could walk only a few steps, had to stop playing my flute (I also worked as a mariachi musician in addition to being an RN), had sleep apnea, high blood pressure, frequent abdominal hernias and had developed diabetes refractory to treatment, that might have been related to my asthma treatment. I would have to go on steroids because I couldn't breathe, causing me to gain even more weight, worsening my diabetes. It was a vicious cycle.
I met another woman at work who had a successful Roux-N-Y gastric bypass, but I thought very carefully about it for 2 years before deciding it was right for me. I wasn't sure I would be able to follow the necessary aftercare including the diet. My medical problems became worse and worse, and one surgeon was recommending invasive throat surgery for my sleep apnea. After finding out it would greatly impact my ability to work in my music job, which is my passion, I was finally ready to take the step.
I wrote letters to my children before surgery in case I didn't make it, and made out a will. However, I had an excellent surgeon, and excellent surgical preparation and aftercare at Phoenix St Luke's hospital bariatric program. My top weight was as high as 308-310 lb. right now I weigh 155, fluctuating between 152 up to perhaps 160. Of my medical problems most have disappeared, and I am left with mild seasonal allergic asthma but all my serious health issues either resolved or greatly decreased after my successfu surgery.
Not everyone "dumps" after this surgery, which is when you have physical side effects from either eating the wrong thing (such as too much sugar, fried foods or drinking too much fluid with your meal), but I am fortunate that I do. This helps keep me "on the straight and narrow" and never have I ever regretted having the surgery. It is not "the easy way out", but a wonderful tool to help one lose and keep off weight. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Currently I have the problem of a hiatal hernia lodged between my eart and my aorta. This is not directly related to my surgery, which has given me many trouble free years, but I have been unable to get this fixed because it requieres a special surgeon and I have been told it is a risky procedure. Meanwhile as of June 2016 I still have great difficulty keeping anything down due to the locatio of this hernia, and in the past year and a half have gone down from 190, where I stabilized, to 144.8 lb.
About Me
Before & After
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